While weather has stymied the Shepparton District Tennis Association of late, seeing just one round played since mid-December, the racquets were back working overtime on the hard courts again.
Lemnos made sure to make its return count, putting the squeeze on Murchison in a thumping performance at McEwen Reserve Tennis Club.
Peter and Tom Jeffery started hot as they sent Murchison’s Tom Caldow and Jonathon Hare packing 6-0 in the opener before Lemnos nabbed the following three rubbers 6-2.
Lemnos’ women were also on song, best displayed by Jennifer Smith and Wendy McHugh’s bagelling of Debra Adams and Janet Clarke in the sixth tie.
And it wasn’t the last clean sweep of the evening.
Lemnos finished in style with a pair of 6-0 rubbers, storming out to a 9-54 to 0-10 result and consolidating its spot in second.
Currently ruling the roost with an eight point buffer is Shepparton North, fresh off the back of a similarly stunning triumph at home over McEwen Reserve Gold.
North has been the benchmark all season, and that wasn’t about to change despite a long time between sets and a challenge from a plucky Gold unit.
The hosts were rivalled in the first rubber, edging out the spoils 6-4, but that was as close as Gold got throughout the contest as Clark Pettigrew and Mark Jackson featured heavily during the men’s doubles victories.
Kellie Crosier then turned it on in the women’s ties, snaring a 6-0 result alongside Louise Dwyer, before North cruised through the mixed rubbers largely unscathed.
With a 9-54 to 0-18 win banked, North has locked in the minor premiership ahead of a final round encounter against Murchison, while the other match will see Lemnos play a rested McEwen Reserve Red outfit.
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